‘For the sake of world cricket’ - Graeme Swann urges India to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debut against Ireland

Former England spinner Graeme Swann has thrown his support behind teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, urging India to hand the youngster an opportunity in the upcoming T20I series against Ireland. Swann described the 15-year-old as the “box-office man of the moment” and believes his inclusion in the national setup is a positive development for world cricket.

Sooryavanshi was named in India’s T20I squads for the tours of Ireland and England on Saturday, becoming the youngest player ever selected for an Indian team at just 15 years and 71 days. In doing so, he seems set to surpass the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days against Pakistan in 1989.

Swann expressed his excitement about Sooryavanshi’s selection and said the youngster should be given a chance in the two-match T20I series against Ireland, which begins on June 26 in Belfast.

“I am glad he has been picked, for the sake of world cricket. He is the box-office man of the moment. I think he should play against Ireland. I was not entirely sure how good he was coming into this IPL,” Swann said on JioHotstar.

The former off-spinner admitted that he initially had doubts about whether the teenager would be able to cope with the challenges posed by top-level bowlers, but the Rajasthan Royals batter quickly proved him wrong.

“I knew he had talent and he scored a big hundred in the U19 World Cup Final. But I thought world-class bowlers would find him out. There would be too much pace and too much planning against him,” Swann added.

Swann highlighted Sooryavanshi’s breathtaking performances during IPL 2026, particularly his explosive innings in the Eliminator, as evidence that the youngster is ready for international cricket.

“The 97 he scored in the Eliminator, I have rarely seen hitting like that. As he was smashing Pat Cummins all over the ground, I was thinking, ‘This kid is the real deal,’” Swann said.

The Englishman further stated that India should not hesitate to integrate the teenager into the senior setup, considering the immense potential he possesses.

“I did not see the point of not involving him, or not bringing him into the senior team, because you have got an absolute world-beater on your hands for the next 20 years,” Swann concluded.

Sooryavanshi’s maiden India call-up comes on the back of a sensational IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. The left-handed batter finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, amassing 776 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 237.30, including one century and five half-centuries.